I am still working through the options/directions to take with respect to a velomobile and whilst the Sinner Mango is on the short list I also do like the Ice Sprint/Borealis combination. However one deal breaker for me is having dynamo power. Now Sinner Bikes have made progress on this aspect with a mid-mount dynamo but it seems that with the Borealis the only option is a SON XS-M and disc brakes.

Some velo pilots seem to have issues with disc brakes in their velomobiles with pad wear rates being high. There is also the issue of having to remove the calliper to replace the pads.

I am wondering but if the pad wear rates would be that high for a velomobile ridden here in Western Australia where the riding conditions are generally much milder (Mediterranean climate) or would there still be enough crap getting into the wheel well during winter to do the damage?

My own experiences in the short time I've been blasting around in the Rotovelo...

Yes, it seems discpad wear could be quicker, my reasons being ... having to bring a 35kg Rotovelo + 100kg velonaut + 40km/hr commuter cruising speed to a halt for a 'red light' ( yes we velonauts DO stop for red lights...but that's another topic ) this does sometimes need quite a bit of braking power!!

Same sitution when I'm cruising on the local "unoccupied" shared pathways, more braking power is required to dump speed for tighter cornering (RV has a rigid frame, no suspension)

Afterall, I think these disc pads were designed for use by 'gnat'weight DF riders, with their micro gram bikes 'n even lighter gear LOL

I'm currently using 'resin' pads but will try the 'sintered' version for the next replacement.... resin pads have done about 700km so far and have had to be re-adjusted about every 200km.I don't believe 'crud accumulation' causes too much extra wear.

Well I will have to take your word for it, at the moment. I just received an email from Harma to say my Mango will be the first one assembled when they return in the new year (2nd) so I am looking at the back end of January at the earliest!

Bad luck.I thought yours was a bit further along than that.Still you have it to look forward to.For me, I have the Mango but can't ride at present due to health issues.Not sure what is worse. Waiting ( I waited 7 months) or having it sitting there and unable to ride.Had hoped you would get down here with Andrew. Sorry you didn't make it.

Bartek wrote:Well I will have to take your word for it, at the moment. I just received an email from Harma to say my Mango will be the first one assembled when they return in the new year (2nd) so I am looking at the back end of January at the earliest!

Ugh... I've come to the conclusion that disc brakes are some form of torture device designed to explode the heads of home-builders. I spent literally all freaking day trying to get the calipers mounted to my latest project (home-built velo, seeing as I can't afford to buy one). I still don't have them adjusted properly.

Hope you don't have to wait to long, and don't forget to post videos and pics (I need them!). The others have been letting me down, I think this must be the longest we have had to go without a Nitramluap video (obviously a sadist, trying to make me suffer!)